Combat Baby!: (11.8.05)
While the rest of the country watched the Colts and the Patriots on Monday Night Football, I dragged Sara to see Metric at a the Clubhouse Musc in Tempe.
Metric is a very-democratic indie rock band that borders on punk. They are a bit preachy for me, but hell, look at Eddie Veddor and Bono. I'm used to it. And it's music! The band is presently touring in support of their recent release 'Live It Out'.
This was Metric's first show ever in Arizona. Although it was nice that they came, there could not have been more than a hundred people at the show. This is the same band that filled the Bowery Ballroom in NYC two nights in a row. It was kinda cool though, Sara and I could just stand at the bar and order drinks whenever we wanted. Yet we had an unobstructed view 15 yards from the stage. In a rare occurance, I recognized many of the songs played inbetween acts, you know, over the speakers. Arcade Fire, Pixies and Sonic Youth songs were played, among others.
Metric carried themsevles very well on stage. Good showmanship and confidence made the band look very professional, yet they seemed to have a great time on stage. Metric's play was very polished. I was very impressed with the bassist, guitar player and drummer. I must say, I expected a much more raw, indie act.
The crowd was feeling the hits from their first album much more, but I thought they did a great job with their new material as well. Opening with 'Empty' was a great choice. They did a nice, extended version of 'Poster of a Girl'. They threw in a verse from 'Another Brick in the Wall' before closing with 'Dead Disco'.
Setlist: Empty, Succexy, The List, Monster Hospital, Ending Start, Poster Of A Girl, Patriarch On a Vespa, Glass Ceiling, Handshakes, Calculation Theme, Combat Baby, Live It Out. Encore: Police and Private, Hustle Rose, Dead Disco/Another Brick In The Wall.